Canada's 150th Anniversary

1967: Still a Memorable Year! And Always Will Be!

The 1967 International and Universal Exposition (Expo 67) was a genenral exhibition, Category One World's Fair held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from April 27 to October 29, 1967. It is considered to be the most successful World's Fair in the 20^th century...with attendance and 62 nations participating.

'Expo 67' was Canada's main celebration during its Centennial Year!

Location: Ile Sainte-Helene, a park in the center of the St. Lawrence River, linked to Montreal by the Jacques Cartier Bridge would be expanded by land reclamation techniques using silt and rock dredged from the bottom of the river. In addition, a new island, Ile Notre Dame, would be created adjoining the Ile Sainte-Helene and along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The cost of building the site rose from the original estimate of $10 million to $40 million (cost absorbed by the city of Montreal).

My husband and I (with a stroller for our little boy) attended this historical event ~ we were totally enthralled with the represented nations and their displays...with new technology for Canada's future...with the entertainment...and the scenically geographic setting along the St. Lawrence River.

December, 1967 was also my sister's wedding...a snowy day in Toronto.

The Burlington Post, a few weeks ago published a remarkable, several-sectioned issue

about Canada's 150^th Anniversary.

The colour photos and accompanying transcripts 'tell it all' in detail.

For your reading interest, are excerpts from this publication.

A Confederation Celebration

Saturday, July 1 marks the 150^th anniversary of Confederation, Canada (or what would become Canada) had a population that exceeded 3 million with almost 80% living in present day Ontario and Quebec. While other cities were growing in size, the majority of soon-to-be-Canadian residents lived in rural areas of Upper and Lower Canada. Politicians such as John A. MacDonald, George Brown and George Etienne Cartier were trying to govern despite political deadlocks. When the Maritime Provinces began to discuss creating their own union, these politicians proposed the idea of a larger union of all of the British North American Colonies. In 1867 the Dominion of Canada was created.

Sir John A. MacDonald, truly a founding father,

instrumental in the politics of Upper and Lower Canada,

also brought British Columbia, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories

into the Canadian Federation.

Celebrating Halton Region (an icon among Ontario's other regions): Did you know that this region is actually named after a person who was here 2 centuries ago when the municipality first took shape? William Halton remained a mystery for decades...until a local historian uncovered the 'story behind the man'. Although there are half a million people living in Halton, few people realize the origin of “Halton Region”. (Even the Halton family in England didn't know there was a place named after one of their ancestors.)

Halton Region Conservation Authority was formed in1963 and was the amalgamation of Sixteen Mile Creek and Twleve Mile Conservation Authorities. The name was changed to Conservation Halton in 2000...which now owns and manages 7 diverse parks within Halton Region.

Rattlesnake Point features 5 lookouts on the Niagara Escarpment...hiking trails...rock climbing cliffs.

Crawford Lake is a 232-hectare area featuring a 15^th century reconstructed Iroquoian Village and heritage site, the lake surounded by a boardwalk trail...the Nassagaweya Canyon Interpretive Lookout and 19 km of hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails connecting to the Bruce Trail.

Hilton Falls is the region's largest conservation area with 16 km of trails. It pictures a 10-m waterfall and historic mill (near Campbellville and Hwy. 401).

Kelso Conservation Area is a year-round hub of activity: dip and/or fish at Kelso Lake...downhill ski or snowboard at Glen Eden; trails for mountain bikers...rental of kayaks, paddle boats and canoes.

Robert Edmondson Park is a secluded area of trails, wetlands and protected woods, plus fishing.

Mountsberg is a bird-watcher's paradise and wildlife enthusiast's dream; horse-drawn wagon rides, 16 km of trails, a bison herd, a sugar bush and birds of prey.

Mount Nemo's crown jewel is the unparalleled view of rolling countryside as well as Lake Ontario and Toronto's CN tower on a clear day. Surrounded in extensive forest cover, Mount Nemo offers one of the best 'cliff-edge' ecosystems in the province and a 5 km trail.

(Unknown to me: the Conservation Authority acquired properties

on the Burlington Beach Strip in 1977 to initiate the Lake Ontario Waterfront program.

Approval of master plans for Burloak, Burlington Beach and Bronte Harbour

waterfront parks was given in 1987.)

Paletta Mansion ~ A Beautiful Historic Lakefront Landmark along Lakeshore Road in Burlington features an 11,000 square-foot mansion. Ideally situated amidst 14 natural acres and formal gardens, the estate's mansion, along with its carefully crafted gatehouse, children's dollhouse and one of the last stables in urban Burlington are all offset by a stunning viewof Lake Ontario

In 1809, the British Crown, under King George III,

granted Lot 8 ~ Concession 4 South of Dundas Street to Laura Secord

who was later to distinguish herself as a heroine in the events of

The Battle of Lundy's Lane during the War of 1812.

Athough Laura Secord and her family did not settle in Nelson Township, they conveyed the lot to settler John Baupre in1810. Over the next 100 years, the property underwent a series of land transactions, passing through approximately 15 different families. In 1912, the property was purchased by William Delos Flatt and Cyrus Albert Birge who allowed the site to be used as a park by local residents for leisure pursuits such as swimming, boating and fishing...while the rest of the property continued in use as a tender fruit farm. Finally in 1930, Edythe Merriam MacKay, daughter of the renowned industrialist and founding director of the Canadian Steel Company, Cyrus Albert Birge built the mansion which was a consuming passion for Edythe MacKay.

Today, the estate is home to weddings, corporate and social events year round.

Burlington, Ontario offers several Points of Interest...many Historical!

Famous French explorer, Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle first landed where La Salle Park is today, in 1669. But it wasn't until the late 1700's when settlers arrived in the area...most prominently, Captain Joseph Brant (Chief of the Six Nations) who was granted a large land tract in recognition of fighting on the side of the British in the US War of Independence. However, the many natural advantages of the area first attracted...aboriginal people long before that.

(Burlington has a long history...into which you can delve at a later time.)

Throughout Halton Region, there are numerous specialized events honouring Canada's Celebrations.

With Pride, Raise your Canadian Maple Leaf flag!

Canada in the World...is a World to Celebrate!

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 11, 2017

Comments Welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com